The present invention is directed to an 
electrochemical cell based on 
lithium technology, comprising the following components: a positive 
electrode containing a 
cathode material, a separator made of an electrically insulating material, a negative 
electrode containing an 
anode material, the electrodes and the separator having layer or sheet form, a liquid and / or 
solid ion conductor material for transportation of 
lithium ions between the positive and the negative 
electrode, the said components being sealed within a casing, wherein the positive and the negative electrode each comprise an electrically conducting structure extending through a wall of the casing for further 
electrical connection, characterized in that it further comprises: a 
reference electrode within the said casing which is electrically insulated from the positive and the negative electrode, the 
reference electrode having layer or sheet form comprising at least one non-
metallic lithium compound, and an electrically conducting structure in layer or sheet form being in electrical contact with the said 
reference electrode, the electrically conducting structure extending through a wall of the casing for further 
electrical connection. The invention is further directed to a method for the preparation of this 
electrochemical cell, to a method for measuring the 
voltage or the impedance of a 
cathode and / or of an 
anode of such an 
electrochemical cell based on 
lithium technology, and to driving methods of said 
cell, decreasing aging phenomena and improving its life duration.